Busting myth #1: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a native to southern Canada that sends roots deep into the soil giving it the reputation for being drought tolerant. A compact shrub growing only to about 3 feet in height, it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring. The photo was taken in late fall.

Busting myth #2: Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa L.) is a showy perennial native to most of southern Canada. Open branched stems reaching 2 to 5 feet are covered in mini dust-mop heads in summer.

Busting myth #3: Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) is an easy-to-grow shrub native to Canada and the norther U.S. In summer, it’s covered in small, bright yellow flowers. It’s well-behaved nature, growing only to 4 or 5 feet in height, makes it a good option as a hedge, a shrub border or as a foundation planting.

Busting myth #4: New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is native to eastern North America. Like any other plant, it has its preferences, including a penchant for moist, rich soils. But it can tolerate average, well-drained soil. Just give it plenty of sun.

Busting myth #5: This Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) is native to Ontario and the eastern U.S. Thankfully, it was saved when our house was built as part of a subdivision and has lived happily amidst imported plants and lawn.

Why is it that sometimes the things closest to us are the least understood? Here’s a quick myth-busting guide to native plants with some gorgeous options for adding “local colour” to a garden in Southern Ontario. 711 more words

#1: Read Stephen Wright’s Going Native, a more recent book billed as a mystery. It’s about 300 pages, and halfway through I thought the genre label had pulled one over on me, but by the end I could see the mystery and it was brilliant. 768 more words

I missed this story from a couple of years ago but it nicely illustrates my issue with ‘Native Advertising’. Here, Stewart Lee raised an issue with a Foster’s Comedy Award which sought to celebrate the best act from the last 30 years at Edinburgh. 257 more words

Have you ever noticed that your surroundings influence or change the way you walk?
And I’m not talking about something too obvious like from one second to the next performing a moonwalk but rather the more subtle changes in movement like straightening your posture or altering your pace. 900 more words